Adjustable building unit



Jan. 7, 1941. F. L. HoEss ADJUSTABLE BUILDING UNIT Filed July 22, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l IWTOR. BY 5 A ORNEY.

Jan. 7, 1941. F, L. HOESS ADJUSTABLE BUILDING UNIT Filed July 22, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved adjustable building unit which is especially adapted for use on valley and hip portions of buildings. The

' device of this invention is preferably constructed 5 of two interlockingly joined metallic members which may be employed to form weather-tight joints between abutting ends of misaligned tiers of roofing members.

One of the principal objects of the improved to adjustable building unit of this invention resides in the provision of means for forming an interlocking weatherproof joint along the center line of the device which joint allows each side thereof to be independently adjusted to align with assold ciated roofing members.

An additional object of advantage and importance resides in the provision of means for crimping the edge of one of the joined metallic members upon the edge of the member associated W therewith.

Still another and further object of importance is the provision of means for maintaining a piss tic or adhesive on the bottom surface of the device closely adjacent each outer end thereof.

ill a still further object of advantage and impor tance resides in the provision of means for securing the bottom edges adjustable building unit belflfihlih the roofing members with which they may I be associated.

m Additional objects of advantage and importance will become apparent as the following detailed description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. l is a top plan view of an adjustable build bd' lug unit, adapted to be employed on the valley portion of a building, which embodies the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of an adjustable building unit, adapted to be used on the hip portions at of buildings, which embodies the invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of lt Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a roof, parts thereof being broken away, showing the adjustable building units in position.

to Fig. 7 is a slightly enlarged sectional view of 2. fragments] portion of the roof taken on line I----! of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a slightly enlarged sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

m As shown in the drawings:

The reference numerals Ill and i2 indicate generally the improved adjustable building unit of this invention. The adjustable unit, indicated by the reference numeral II], is adapted to be em ployed on the valley portion of buildings, and the 5 member, indicated by the reference numeral I2, is adapted to be used on hip portions of buildings. The members l and I2 are best shown in valley and hip positions in Fig. 6.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, n each member ill and I2 is constructed of two interlocked members i4 and I6, and i and i1, respectively.

Formed along one edge of the members i4 and I5 is a flange i8. The flanges IS on the members is H and I5 project upwardly, as is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Formed along corresponding edges of'the members i6 and i'l is a flange 20, which is turned upon itself, but spaced therefrom to form a 2o groove. Each flange I8 is adapted to be inserted in the groove formed by the correspondingly located flange 20, as is best shown in Figs. 3 and t. The engagement between the flanges l8 and 20, while providing a weather-proof joint, allows either pair of members M and it, or I5 and ii, to be moved, as is indicated by the dotted line in Figs. 1 and 2, longitudinally in respect to the flanges l8 and 20 for adjustment with roofing members, as is best shown in Fig. 6. 3o

Formed on the lower edge of each member to and I2, is an upwardly turned flange 22. The upwardly turned flange 22 is adapted to be positioned beneath a roofing member, as is best shown in Fig. 7, to secure the member Ill in engagement therewith. In the preferred embodiment of the device, portions of the upper edges of the members I0 and it are adapted to be positioned beneath the flanged upper edge 24 of a roofing member 26. as is best shown in Fig. 6.

The opposed. ends of the flanges 22 on the members in and 112 are spaced apart, as is best shown by the dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2. The spacing between the ends of the flanges provides a recess into which the upper ends of the joined flanges l8 and 20 may be positioned, as is best shown in Fig. 8. The recess and the joined flanges 18 provide a self-aligning means for joining the units in operable association one with another.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, that each pair of members It and I8, or IE and H are interlockingly joined to each other and also to the next above and below associated pair of like members. The interlocking manner in which the members It or I2 are joined to like members provides a rigid and practically inseparable unit extending from one end of the valley or hip, as the case may be, to the opposite end thereof.

Formed closely adjacent each outwardly extending end of the members Ill and I2, is an upwardly projecting embossing 28. The embossing, in addition to reinforcing the adjacent edges of the members l and I2, also provide a stop or locating boss at their upper ends for the next above associated members. The underside of the embossing 28 forms a recess into which a plastic or adhesive material may be placed to insure a tight joint between the edges of the members It! or I2 and the roofing members 26, with which they may be associated.

Additional securing means such as nails 30 or the like may be employed for securing the adjustable building unit of this invention in operable position. It is to be noted that where such securing means are employed, the nails are covered and secured from working out or becoming loosened by the application of the next above associated unit.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that herein is provided a sturdy and efficient adjustable unit for valleys and hips which may be used with various kinds of roofing.

It will also be apparent from the foregoing, that herein is provided an improved hip or valley member, the efficient use of which is not precluded by reason of misalignment of the tiers of roofing with which they may be associated.

Moreover, the device may be used and applied by persons unskilled in that particular field without the aid of special tools or equipment, even though the roofing or shingles with which the device is associated, has been laid with irregularly spaced surfaces to the weather. And when so used and applied, the members form a practically indestructible continuing unit extending from top to bottom of hip or valley.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the device appertains, that numerous changes and alterations in construction and design may be made all without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is understood that the patent granted hereon is not to be limited to the preferred embodiment here disclosed nor in any other manner except as necessitated by the terminology of the appended claims when given the range of equivalents to which they may be entitled.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a building unit adapted to join the adjacent edges in a hip or valley construction of a roofing laid in tiers upon adjoining slopes of a building, said unit comprising a pair of flanged members, said members being Joined with the flange of one member crimped upon the flange of the other member to form a rigid weather-tight joint, each of said members being independently movable longitudinally of said joined flanges whereby the butt ends thereof may engage and be secured to the edges of misaligned rooflng members, and a hook-like roofing member engaging flange along the bottom edges of each said flanged members.

2. In a building unit, a. pair of flanged members adapted to be Joined together, the flanges of the joined members providing an upwardly projecting medial joint extending from one end of the device to the opposite end thereof, said joined flanges providing a weather-tight joint, each of said flanged members being independently movable longitudinally of said joint, and hooklike flange means on one end of each joined member for securing said unit in association with a roof cover.

3. In an adjustable building unit comprising a pair of independently adjustable members, said members being secured against lateral separation, and hook-like flange means on one end of each adjustable member for securing said device to roofing members, and means for joining said unit to like building units.

4. In an adjustable building unit, a pair of stampings, said stampings being provided with' co-acting flanges along an edge thereof, said flanges when joined providing an upwardly projecting flange extending from one end of the unit to the other end thereof, each of said stampings being movable longitudinally of the joint and hook-like flange means on the lower end of each of said stampings adapted to be inserted beneath a roofing member.

5. In a building unit adapted to be joined with like members to provide a continuous weatherproof seal between roofing members on slopes adjoining a valley, coacting flange means for joining the members one to another, said joined members being movable longitudinally, and a hook-like flange on the lower end of each member whereby the lower portion of each member forming the unit may be Joined in water-tight association with the bottom edge of a misaligned roofing member on opposite sides of the valley.

FRANK L. HOESS. 

